It's impossible to avoid shopping this time of year, but it's possible to avoid crowded stores. Museums have gift shops. Go there. There are rarely lines in museum gift shops. Plus, there are some excellent items to be had. Here are five.

Vonnegut belt buckle, $30, Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library, 340 N. Senate Ave. Modeled on a 1970s design by a cousin of the writer. Kurt Vonnegut was a literary star by then. The cousin was living in California. She sent one to the writer with a letter that said she hoped her enterprise wouldn't interfere with his life. To which Kurt Vonnegut replied: "This is life itself."

It almost looks like LOLOVEVE, but obviously it's actually LOVE stacked. Regardless, there are hundreds of empty pages inside. Fill them up.

Will Higgins is an IndyStar storyteller who writes about the city's eccentric people and things, present and past. His mission: Find 5 unusual gifts sold at Indy museums. Contact him at (317) 444-6043. Follow him on Twitter @WillRHiggins.